[Samurai7595]

I'm looking at setting up a 2-channel music system in my 11'x13' living room using Bryston components.

I already own the Bryston BCD-1, BDP-2, BDA-2 and Rega RP6/Dynavector DV-20X2 Low MC cart and I'm now looking for the pre-amp, external phono stage (MC), power amp(s) and floorstanding speakers.

Looking at the Bryston SST2 power amps, would it make sense to use two 2.5B-SST2 or maybe even two 3B-SST2 power amps in bridged mono since I really like the idea of two monoblock power amps as opposed to using a single stereo power amp?

[James Tanner]

I'm looking at setting up a 2-channel music system in my 11'x13' living room using Bryston components.

I already own the Bryston BCD-1, BDP-2, BDA-2 and Rega RP6/Dynavector DV-20X2 Low MC cart and I'm now looking for the pre-amp, external phono stage (MC), power amp(s) and floorstanding speakers.

Looking at the Bryston SST2 power amps, would it make sense to use two 2.5B-SST2 or maybe even two 3B-SST2 power amps in bridged mono since I really like the idea of two monoblock power amps as opposed to using a single stereo power amp?

HI

It will depend on the Impedance of the speaker.  When you 'bridge' an amplifier it 'sees' 1/2 of the impedance it does in Stereo - so speakers below 4ohms would look like 2 ohms to the amp and current limiting could occur.  All Bryston Stereo amps are DUAL MONO designs anyway other than the power cord.

james

[srb]

Also, some 4 Ohm nominal speakers may have an impedance curve that dips to 3 Ohms at some frequencies.

I would personally just get a 4BSST² and save money in the process.

But this does bring up the subject that there have been more than a few requests for a smaller monoblock amplifier than the the 7BSST².  Whether they would add any discernible performance gain over a stereo amp is up to debate, but the fact remains that some people just plain want them, as well as being able to offer a lower powered less expensive monoblock for the center channel for people with existing stereo amplification.

Steve

[95Dyna]

Also, some 4 Ohm nominal speakers may have an impedance curve that dips to 3 Ohms at some frequencies.

I would personally just get a 4BSST² and save money in the process.

But this does bring up the subject that there have been more than a few requests for a smaller monoblock amplifier than the the 7BSST².  Whether they would add any discernible performance gain over a stereo amp is up to debate, but the fact remains that some people just plain want them, as well as being able to offer a lower powered less expensive monoblock for the center channel for people with existing stereo amplification.

Steve

+1.  I am not a fan of bridging stereo amps for the very reason James has pointed out.  I once had a pair of Adcom GFA-555's I bridged into mono thinking I was doubling power to drive my notorious amp killer speakers.  All I got done was replacing output stage fuses every time the speaks dipped to .8 ohms at 32 and again at 340 hrz.  I switched to bi-amping and lived happily ever after until I bought the 7BSST2's a couple years ago.  Now am ecstatic everafter as there isn't a speaker in existence that can kill the 7's 

[So There]

You have yet another option worth considering, Samurai:

Bryston's new Model T powered speakers, discussed in this AudioCircle: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=97007.0

The illustrious James Tanner can, no doubt, give you all the techie details.


Rich
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Whiney Napa Valley